A Sign of Distress takes a decidedly sharp turn from the previous lively, heart-warming autobiographical boyhood tales told by the masterful storyteller John E. Jordan, Jr. Times have changed, and rather than light-hearted humor, it is satire that is called for. Here we find ourselves in current-day Jackson, Mississippi (read: pretty much Anywhere, USA), in today's current tumultuous social climate. Husband and wife Burl and Beulah Turner, without fully realizing, slowly each work their way through an enlightening transformation - from past to progress, from disdain to love. Surrounded by bigotry and ever-present greed - yet with glimpses into an alternative, loving way of living in this world amongst their fellow humans - the couple slowly metamorphose through lessons inadvertently learned from those around them: family, relatives, friends, so-called friends, employers, employees, co-workers, teachers, and even religious leaders. A Sign of Distress offers a lens through which the reader has an opportunity to do some personal soul-searching and to examine the world we live in and how to morally, or not, move daily through it. It is a story of conquering hate and selfishness and embracing love and kindness.

It is a tale of overcoming.